Nottingham's Old Market Square, widely known as 'slab square', is set to undergo a £3.5m transformation funded by the government and the East Midlands Combined County Authority. The project will replace broken fountains installed in 2007 with a new water feature, while introducing more trees, seating, and greenery to align with the city's vision of becoming a 'Forest City' by 2030. Public consultation will guide the precise design, with demolition work expected to begin in January after the Winter Wonderland attraction closes.
Tributes have been paid to an elderly couple from Darlington, both MBE recipients, who died following a two-vehicle car crash on the A171 near Scaling Dam in North Yorkshire. Alan Charlton, 90, who was driving, and his partner Joy McCulloch, 74, the passenger, died after their Peugeot 2008 collided with a VW Golf on Friday. Local leaders and organisations, including their local MP and the Darlington Rotary Club, have paid tribute to their community and healthcare contributions.
Summary headline: Tributes paid to MBE recipients Alan Charlton and Joy McCulloch killed in A171 crash
To celebrate 100 years of Winnie-the-Pooh and the K2 red phone box, original publisher Farshore is donating copies of AA Milne's classics and a new authorised sequel, 'A Little Boy and His Bear', to 150 red phone box libraries across the UK. Actor Sally Phillips launched the campaign in Chartham, Kent, where children also participated in storytelling and illustration workshops.
Summary headline: Free Winnie-the-Pooh books distributed to 150 red phone box libraries for centenary
The former Church of All Souls in Ancoats, Manchester, a Grade II-listed building dating back to 1840, has been demolished following a partial roof collapse. Manchester City Council stated that a structural survey found the disused building was at risk of total collapse, necessitating emergency demolition for public safety. Heritage groups, including Historic England and Save Britain's Heritage, expressed regret over the loss of the historic structure, noting it had suffered years of deterioration and decay.
Summary headline: Historic Grade II-listed Church of All Souls in Manchester demolished following partial roof collapse
Newcastle City Council has stated that a report found no evidence of inappropriate contact, collusion, or improper conduct regarding the contentious sale of council land at Newbiggin Dene for a Persimmon Homes housing development. Local campaigners and opposition councillors had urged the council and developers to cancel the sale and protect the green corridor as a country park. Council officials have asked Persimmon to consider terminating the transaction due to community concerns while exploring alternative access routes.
Summary headline: Newcastle City Council finds no evidence of improper conduct over Newbiggin Hall land sale
The White House has defended comments made by Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Nebraska, where he suggested that letting Iran target Los Angeles and San Diego was a small price to pay for keeping the country safe. The remarks drew sharp criticism from California politicians, including Governor Gavin Newsom and LA Mayor Karen Bass, who condemned the comments as dangerous and threatening. The White House and communications staff later clarified that Trump meant the US military action prevented a nuclear Iran from threatening American cities.
Summary headline: White House defends Donald Trump's remark about Iran and Californian cities
The Scottish government has stated it will do everything possible to secure the future of chemical firm Syngenta's Grangemouth plant after the company announced plans to close the site by the end of 2027, putting nearly 400 jobs at risk. Economy Secretary Stephen Flynn expressed profound disappointment at the decision, noting neither the Scottish nor UK governments were informed in advance. Syngenta collected £1m of Scottish Enterprise funding last year to expand production, which it has pledged to pay back if the site closes. The company cited international competition and high operational costs as reasons for the closure.
Summary headline: Scottish government pledges to do all it can to secure future of Syngenta's Grangemouth plant
Three Afghan nationals have been jailed for raping a 17-year-old girl at a house in Bristol after grooming her via Snapchat. The offenders—Mehrab Safi, Awal Ahmadzai, and Salman Habibkheli—fled the UK but were intercepted by French police in the back of a lorry. Safi received a 15-year prison sentence, while Habibkheli and Ahmadzai were each sentenced to nine years in a youth detention centre. A 17-year-old boy was also convicted of rape in connection with the case.
Summary headline: Men jailed for raping teenage girl after Snapchat grooming
The London Fire Brigade (LFB) is set to return to its historic headquarters on Albert Embankment in Lambeth after receiving planning permission from Lambeth Council. The 1930s building and its 1980s control room extension will be refurbished, modernising the existing fire station and converting vacant office space into the new headquarters, alongside a visitor space dedicated to the brigade's history. Work is scheduled to begin in late 2026 and finish in 2029.
Summary headline: London Fire Brigade granted planning permission to return to historic Lambeth headquarters
A car crashed through railings and hit a school gym at Limehurst Academy in Loughborough on Monday evening. Emergency services confirmed that no one was trapped or injured, and no arrests were made.
Summary headline: Car crashes through railings and hits Loughborough school building
Der US-Bundesstaat Pennsylvania verzeichnet mit über 1.000 Masern-Fällen den höchsten Stand seit 35 Jahren. Rund 200 Menschen befinden sich im Krankenhaus, fünf Todesfälle wurden gemeldet. Hauptursache für den landesweiten Ausbruch ist ein sinkender Impfschutz.
The Prince of Wales and actor Ross Kemp have visited Ilminster, Somerset, to launch 'Ready Together', a new project by the National Emergencies Trust designed to help communities prepare for crises such as wildfires and flooding. During the visit, Prince William met with volunteers, young people, and local residents taking part in emergency training exercises, while joking about trying to get spoilers for the reality TV show Celebrity Traitors, in which Kemp is a contestant.
Summary headline: Prince William and Ross Kemp launch Ready Together emergency preparedness initiative in Ilminster
Great British Bake Off contestant Yannis Ali has discussed his experience on the Channel 4 show, including the inspiration behind his week two biscuit mosaic and the luxury of not having to do his own washing up.
Summary headline: Great British Bake Off contestant Yannis Ali reveals behind-the-scenes secrets
A comprehensive overview of the latest UK migration data, detailing net migration figures, visa grants, asylum applications, small boat crossings in the English Channel, returns and deportations, and comparisons with European countries based on official ONS and Home Office statistics.
Summary headline: Tracking UK Migration: Net Migration, Visas, Asylum, and Small Boats
Evidence found during enquiries by the SAS Inquiry suggests that serious offences, including murder and manslaughter, may have been committed by UK special forces personnel during detention operations in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013. The evidence has been referred to the military police's Defence Serious Crime Unit, although criminal investigations have been paused until the public inquiry concludes.
Summary headline: UK special forces face potential prosecution as Afghanistan evidence referred to military police
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Russia to release more information regarding the death of a 28-year-old lab worker at a plague research centre in Irkutsk, Siberia. Russian health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor stated the worker died of pneumonia of an undetermined etiology and reported that all contacts tested negative for pneumonic plague. The incident has prompted international attention and discussions on mutual assistance between the US and Russia, while experts note that pneumonic plague remains treatable with antibiotics.
Summary headline: US urges Russia to share information following plague lab worker's death
A 22-year-old British national has been arrested in Westminster on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts in connection with a security incident near RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. This brings the total number of arrests to seven following the discovery of suspicious vehicles near the airbase on 27 September, though no charges have yet been brought. The investigation comes as the US recently withdrew its B-1 and B-52 bombers from the base back to America due to unspecified threats.
Summary headline: British national arrested over RAF Fairford security incident
The creators of the long-running comedy show Give My Head Peace and the panel show The Blame Game have revealed they were informed via email that their programmes have not been recommissioned by the BBC. The decision comes as the broadcaster faces significant financial pressures and attempts to save £500m over two years. Cast members expressed disappointment not only with the cancellation after decades on air, but also with the impersonal manner in which the news was delivered.
Summary headline: Give My Head Peace and The Blame Game axed by BBC
A 20-year-old forensic science student, Benjamin William Day, has pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court to murdering 24-year-old Maria Saceanu. Day had planned the killing by setting up a plastic-lined 'inspired by the television show Dexter' inside an Airbnb. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 4 December.
Summary headline: West Midlands student admits murdering woman in 'Dexter' kill room
Im neuen Landtag von Sachsen-Anhalt wurde der AfD-Politiker Hans-Thomas Tillschneider im ersten Wahlgang zum Landtagsvizepräsidenten gewählt. Er erhielt 44 Ja-Stimmen bei 38 Nein-Stimmen. Zuvor war bereits der AfD-Abgeordnete Tobias Rausch zum Landtagspräsidenten gewählt worden.
Summary headline: Sachsen-Anhalt: AfD-Politiker Tillschneider zum Landtagsvizepräsidenten gewählt
